Hong Kong: Government extends school closures until March 16 due to COVID-19 /update 9

Government extends the suspension of schools until March 16 due to novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak; further spread of COVID-19 possible over the near term, follow government directives
Read all related news alert(s):
Hong Kong: Government increases COVID-19 restrictive measures from December 2 /update 44
Hong Kong: Travel Bubble with Singapore postponed until December 6 /update 43
Hong Kong: Authorities to ease COVID-19 restrictions from October 30 /update 42
Hong Kong: Authorities add UK to list of high-risk travel countries from October 1 /update 41
Hong Kong: Authorities further ease some restrictions September 18 /update 40
Hong Kong: Authorities to ease restrictions on public gatherings September 11 /update 39
Hong Kong: Some COVID-19 measures extended until August 25 /update 38
Hong Kong: Authorities extend social distancing requirements through August 11 /update 37
Hong Kong: Authorities announce increased COVID-19 restrictions from July 29 /update 36
Hong Kong: Authorities extend mandatory wearing of face masks until August 6 /update 35
Hong Kong: Authorities to introduce new entry restrictions on July 25 /update 34
Hong Kong: Authorities tighten COVID-19 restrictions on July 19 /update 33
Hong Kong: Authorities tighten COVID-19 restrictions July 14 /update 32
Hong Kong: Schools to close on July 13 amid new COVID-19 outbreak /update 31
Hong Kong: Ban on gatherings of more than 50 people extended until July 14 as other COVID-19 measures eased /update 30
Hong Kong: Gatherings of up to 50 people permitted from June 19 /update 29
Hong Kong: Authorities extend travel restrictions June 2 /update 28
Hong Kong: Hong Kong International Airport to resume transit services from June 1 amid COVID-19 pandemic /update 27
Hong Kong: Authorities extend COVID-19 gatherings restrictions to June 4 /update 26
Hong Kong: Authorities to announce relaxation of public gathering rules on May 5 /update 25
Hong Kong: Restrictions on travel from mainland China to be eased April 29 /update 24
Hong Kong: Social distancing measures extended to May 7 /update 23
Hong Kong: HK Express extends flight suspensions through June 18 due to COVID-19 /update 22
Hong Kong: Authorities extend social distancing measures until April 23 /update 21
Hong Kong: Government extends entry ban on non-residents April 6 /update 20
Hong Kong: Authorities enact stricter social distancing measures April 3 /update 19
Hong Kong: Authorities order additional venue closures for 14 days April 1 /update 18
Hong Kong: Government bans public gatherings from March 29 /update 17
Hong Kong: Government closes borders to all non-residents from March 25 /update 16
Hong Kong: Government orders mandatory home-quarantine for all travelers March 17 /update 15
Hong Kong: Mandatory quarantine for travelers from Europe and other countries March 17, 19 /update 14
Hong Kong: Mandatory quarantine for travelers from five countries March 10 /update 13
Hong Kong: Authorities introduce additional measures to contain COVID-19 spread March 1 /update 12
Hong Kong: Authorities bar non-resident arrivals from South Korea to contain COVID-19 spread February 25 /update 11
Hong Kong: Health official announces second coronavirus-related fatality February 19 /update 10
Hong Kong: Protests reported over quarantine center locations February 8-11 /update 8
Hong Kong: Government to place all mainland China arrivals into home quarantine due to 2019-nCoV February 5 /update 7
Hong Kong: Medical workers continue to strike February 5 /update 6
Hong Kong: First coronavirus (2019-nCoV) death recorded in Hong Kong February 4 /update 5
Hong Kong: Almost all border crossings with mainland China close February 3 /update 4
Hong Kong: Public health workers begin coronavirus-related strike February 3 /update 3
Hong Kong: Public transportation suspended as of January 30 due to coronavirus 2019-nCoV January 28 /update 2
Hong Kong: Authorities block residents of Hubei province from entering HKSAR January 26 /update 1
Hong Kong: Maximum health warning level implemented January 25
Event
Government officials announced on Thursday, February 13, that schools will remain closed until at least Monday, March 16, due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Civil servants are also encouraged to work from home until Sunday, February 23 to prevent the spread of the virus.
On Wednesday, February 5, Hong Kong authorities announced that all arrivals from mainland China will be put into home quarantine for 14 days, in efforts to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).
Further international spread of the virus is to be expected over the coming days and weeks.
Context
As of February 13, Hong Kong has confirmed 50 COVID-19 cases. Chief Executive Carrie Lam implemented the maximum health warning level in Hong Kong on January 25 after the city reported its first five confirmed COVID-19 cases.
The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.
Cases of the virus have been confirmed in 28 countries and territories worldwide. Virus screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On January 30, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak is a "public health emergency of international concern."
Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and labored breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.
Advice
Individuals in Hong Kong are advised to monitor developments, avoid all protests and demonstrations, prepare for disruptions to transportation and business around protest sites, confirm the status of their flights prior to departure for the airport, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities and their home governments.
Individuals are also advised to avoid wearing black and white colors around protest zones or rallies as they are associated with protesters.
Individuals are advised to take precautionary measures to reduce their risk of contracting the virus:
- Avoid all contact with animals (dead or alive); avoid eating animal products that are undercooked; avoid all markets where animals are sold
- Avoid all close contact with people displaying symptoms of the disease (e.g. difficulties breathing)
- Frequently wash hands and wear a face mask
- Adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities and their home governments
- Travelers returning from China developing symptoms of pneumonia are advised to call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to avoid spreading the disease.
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